By Joseph Abasi-Abasi, Calabar
Prof. Offiong E. Offiong has been formally invested as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) during a ceremony held at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre.
The event marked the end of the five-year tenure of Prof. Florence Banku Obi, the first female Vice-Chancellor in the university’s 50-year history.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 14th Governing Council, DIG (Rtd.) Udom U. Ekpoudom, praised the peaceful transition process and commended Prof. Obi for significant improvements recorded under her leadership.
He noted that Prof. Offiong emerged top among 25 applicants and urged him to address challenges in infrastructure, staff welfare, academic standards, and institutional image while working in harmony with the Council.
The Pro-Chancellor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for their support and urged unsuccessful applicants to rally behind the new administration.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Offiong pledged zero tolerance for indiscipline, admission racketeering, and fraudulent NYSC mobilization.
He announced a 14-point strategic agenda focusing on academic excellence, research and innovation, infrastructure upgrade, revenue generation, staff development, student welfare, ICT deployment, security, and environmental sustainability.
“The narrative of negative publicity ends today,” he declared, vowing to restore the university’s reputation and reposition it as a centre of serious scholarship.
He warned staff against absenteeism and indolence, promising rewards for diligence, and assured students of an end to extortion and arbitrary fees.
The ceremony was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, alumni, staff, and students. Speakers described the succession process as one of the smoothest in recent Nigerian university history.
